Developer drops plans to build on allotments

DEVELOPERS have withdrawn a controversial application to build 61 homes on the Tilehurst Allotments site.

Householders who have objected to the application received letters advising them that Wimpey had dropped the plans at the last minute.

But the housing developer is unlikely to give up on its plans altogether and is expected to submit a revised application in the future.

The plans were due to be discussed at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday, January 9, but Wimpey withdrew the application after hearing that councillors were being recommended to refuse permission.

Campaigner Jenny Cottee said: "It's a temporary relief and it's a pleasure that they have at least listened to objectors and that they are not going to waste our time pursuing this application.

"However, I anticipate that the company will put in another application in the future.

"As a matter of principle we don't think there should be any development on this space at all."

The withdrawn application for the site in Armour Hill was for 52 houses and nine flats with garages, parking spaces, public open space and a play area.

The main reason planning officers at Reading council objected to the plans was that it would have been a "loss of open space without

justification".

Officers say the council is already meeting its targets for housing as set out in the borough plan.

There were a number of other points which the company is now likely to try to address before coming back with a revised application.

Local councillor Sandy Scaife said: "Certainly any developer with any wisdom will look at the reasons for refusal being put forward by officers and try to overcome the objections and come back with a more acceptable application."

Activists collected more than 3,600 signatures from people wanting to save the allotments from development in 1998.

The future of the open space came under threat again after the landowners, Tilehurst Poors Lands Charity, sold off the four acres of land in February this year